I write to express my heartfelt thanks to the Austin Hospital ED team and paramedics for the wonderful care I received twice in three days last week.
Following a seizure, I arrived at the Austin in the very early hours of Monday, 20 March. I was discharged several hours later.
Then, following a fall only two days later, I arrived at the hospital again, where,
after a bit of a longer wait that time, once again I was discharged after around eight hours.
The only other time I was in a similar situation, 11 years ago, I was unconscious. But this time I was able to quietly observe all sorts of details.
Most of all I noticed how methodical, disciplined and unhurried everyone was.
Everyone had time and nobody rushed. I’d say it is this angle that most interested me.
The paramedics don’t leave until the handover is well and truly complete. I didn’t know that, even though it makes sense now that I’m writing it down.
The paramedics sure knew their stuff, were calm and just got on with it.
The lead paramedic each time had a ton of history and context to share and explain with the nursing staff. In fact, I was a bit surprised at how long all this eventually took. I guess it’s the price of care, rigour and in support of quality medical outcomes.
Believe me, I appreciate it.
Emma and Aiden and Blaze and Craig were four of the five paramedics who tended me and I hope there’s enough in this letter for Austin management to track down a few more key names and share this.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I love your work. Not for the first time, I rate the Australian public hospital system 10 star.
Absolutely epic. I’ll repay you all via a long life, and a lifelong campaign to fund public hospitals fairly and fully.
Ian Rogers
Editor and publisher
Banking Day